Amazon.com Customer Reviews
Creedence's best - Review written on June 28, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.
I saw Creedence Clearwater Revisited last year. That band takes a lot of heat for having a capable Fogerty sound-alike stand in for Fogerty. I understand some fans' complaints about the heart and soul of the music being compromised, but my argument was, and still is, that these songs are timeless gems and are worth hearing no matter who's singing them.
So, on to my review ... this is a very admirable greatest hits CD of one of the best bands of the late sixties. All of my favorite Creedence songs are here, including "Bad Moon Rising," "Lodi," "Run Through The Jungle" and "Travelin' Band." To me Creedence Clearwater Revival is the perfect example of how to be a rock band. Fogerty, the band's principal songwriter, can be serious when he needs to be but also knows how to have fun. For example, at the time of the Vietnam War, he wrote songs with such depth and emotion as "Who'll Stop The Rain" and "Fortunate Son." On the other hand, he wrote songs like "Travelin' Band" and "Down on the Corner" -- harmless and fun classics. I also like that this CD includes "Someday Never Comes." That song is very underrated, if you ask me.
This CD has gotten some complaints that "Born on the Bayou" is missing. It is on Chronicle Volume 2 but some fans don't want to pay all that extra money for one song. I have a suggestion on how to remedy that: buy this CD, then download "Born on the Bayou" from iTunes as a single.
A Delicious, Vicarious Bayou Experience - Review written on May 16, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
Creedence Clearwater Revival, a band far ahead of its time, hailed from California, but one would never know it. As a Louisiana native I can attest to the fact that CCR represents the sounds of the south as well, if not better, than any home grown " Southern Rock" outfit. The Bayou clearly courses through John Fogerty's veins, regardless of his geography.
This is a "Best of" that truly spans a remarkable career. The band had a short run ( their most prolific period occurring between 1968 t0 1970), but the talent produced a back catalog of amazing proportion. One rarely likes to recommend a survey when a tremendous library is available, but this work deserves a place at the table.
The songs.... they are three to eleven minute vignettes of pure blues/rock/country-pop magic. Activist by nature, Fogerty wrote some scathing time-piece tunes, like " Fortunate Son" and " Commotion", two fine offerings from this CD. "Susie Q", a gem from Lightnin' Hopkin's treasure trove, drives home a beat and guitar working second to none. " I Heard it Throuh the Grapevine" gets a unique overhaul, quite different from the original in its bluesy delivery. " Lookin' Out My Backdoor" and " Down on the Corner" takes the listener on a quick, sweet journey to the parts of Dixie that are worth experiencing. An innocent, open, fun-loving atmosphere, not qualities usually associated with the south by people from other regions. A transplanted native, even one who was better for the move, can wax poetically about southern summers, remembering fondly "listin' to Buck Owens" while " doing cartwheels", or gathering around the local busker to hear someone like " the poor boys" strut their stuff.
The track list is exhaustive, including all of the hits, plus a few lesser known wonders, such as " Sweet Hitchhiker". Fogerty and the gang didn't solve the world's problems during their heyday, but they sure provided some good music to rock out to. If unfamiliar with CCR, get thee a copy of this singularly great Greatest Hits.... pronto.
It Ain't Me-It Ain't Me-I Ain't No Fortunate Seer......... - Review written on November 24, 2007
Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.
Many people don't know that your illustrious Seer was born on the bayou. Totally true story. I am the 7th son born on the 7th month on the 7th day at the 7th hour. My Metamama cried when I was born "This one will be a hellraiser-Oh Lordy!". But, as all my dedicated fans know by now- she was wrong. I am a heaven-raiser- and hopefully a good one at that. Still- it took alot of side-stepping to get out of that swamp to become the Seer that you all know and love today. Being reflective takes hard work- and ambition. Sort of like Creedence - my home town boys. At least my Metamama liked them. Why shouldn't she? They weren't related. :)
What I really loved about Creedence is that they defied the conventions of their time. While others tended towards studio production lucidity - Creedence decided to keep it raw and real. There is no mystery to the sound here. It is straight ahead swamp rock-blues power packed into mostly a 3 minute window. How they were able to do this with so much economy is discussed - even today- amongst erudite Seer circles. But, they did it and, as simple as it was, it works- song after song after song. Everyone of these songs is memorable - and competent. Are they the greatest musicians that ever lived? No. But did they know how to do things right for them? Definitely. And I think that is why, in large part, that they created the legacy that they did.
You can see the progression in these tunes. Not in leaps and bounds - but subtle as you proceed. "Suzie Q" and "I Put a Spell On You" are rough takes - but it is that undeniable quality that propels these songs to swamp magic. They get a little better as we go along in production - but not by much. Why spoil the formula? "Proud Mary" with that simple strumming riff. It's so elementary but so alluring. And I don't believe Creedence ever copied from another song. Each one was totally original by itself. You could have a song with a blistering, intense lead like "Travelin' Band" and then one with a slow, bluesy feel like in "Long As I Can See the Light". Everything here borrows from different genres - blues, country, southern streetcorner sounds, sweeping bayou intonations, rock and roll intensity. It is the feel of the songs that is so real. They do not compromise and include alien instruments. No. This c.d. is very real and this band is what I'd like to hear when I go down to the local bar for a beer. Uncomplicated and great!
I could give you a run-down of all the songs included here. But it would prove nothing. If you haven't heard these songs somehow since they were released then someone in your life has been negligent. Perhaps you! And, if so, emergency therapy is needed. I could do it - but be forewarned- a small charge will be excised. Get this. Creedence - a legendary pure American rock band. So classic- and so good to hear after all the overly-produced stuff from the last 30-40 years.
Gotta go. I hear the phone ringing and it's probably Metamama calling to wish her son happy holidays. That, and to chide me, yet again, for not joining Creedence way back then when they asked me. With parents there just are some things they never let you forget. Oh well.....
And I wonder, still I wonder - Who'll stop the Metamorpho?
One of the greatest greatest hits albums around - Review written on November 16, 2007
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.
This has to be one of the greatest greatest hits albums around. Creedence Clearwater Revival (hereafter, CCR) was a top band on its time, and this CD does a terrific job of showing the listener why. If you didn't know of this group before, this CD explains why they were so well received in their era.
John Fogerty, lead vocal and lead guitar, was a key motive force for the group. His unique voice is displayed well here.
Some classic cuts:
"Susie Q" is a rock classic. CCR does a nice job here. They show off the classic CCR sound. No fancy guitar work, but effective nonetheless. Fogerty's voice captures the spirit of this song well. In addition, some interesting vocal effects.
"Proud Mary" is one of their absolute best works. Many may know it from Tina Turner's version, which is itself a classic. CCR's version is also classic. The start of the song is probably one of the best (and best known) introductions in rock and roll. "Rollin' on a river" is one of the most recognized tag lines, I would guess. As already noted, guitar work and instrumentals generally are basic but quite effective.
"Bad Moon Rising" is a rollicking song. "I see a bad moon rising; I see trouble on the way." One of my favorite CCR pieces.
"Down on the Corner." I can never get "Willie and the poor boys" out of my mind! This is straightforward, unprettified rock and roll. As liner notes mention, CCR went against the grain of psychedelic music, current at a portion of their period of work. This song well exemplifies their body of work.
And then there is "I Heard It through the Grapevine." This was a Temptations' song, and their version is stunning and one of the great moments in the genre. But CCR takes this and makes it their own, too. The instrumental work is well done and Fogerty's voice works well on the lyrics.
So, what's the bottom line? One of the classic compilations of a group's work. You want to know about CCR? There isn't a better way than to listen to this work.
Straight-up, gritty swamp rock - Review written on May 21, 2007
Rating: 5 out of 5
6 customers found this review helpful.
I've tried to find other bands from the 60s-70s which have the same grittiness and raw beats as Creedence. Some came close, but nothing seemed to deliver the same level of punch CCR does. It's thumping, growling, stripped-down rock n' roll that isn't swallowed up in a wall of distortion or overproduction that a lot of bands today are preoccupied with. If you're itching for something raw and without gloss that isn't acoustic or listless indie (snoooze!), CCR serves it up straight and hard. I'd even say they're the AC/DC of swamp/roots rock.
These tracks are from both volumes, but they're my favorite picks for songs with beats that don't mess around and a rockin' melody:
Born on The Bayou, Tombstone Shadow, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Run Through the Jungle, I Put A Spell on You, Good Golly Miss Molly